Display panel

ABSTRACT

A display panel may include the following elements: a substrate; a first-color filter, which overlaps the substrate and may include a first-color portion and a first-color part; a second-color filter, which may include a second-color portion and a second-color part; a third-color filter, which may include a third-color portion and a third-color part; a light-blocking structure, which may be positioned between the first-color part and the second-color part in a plan view of the display panel and may include the first-color portion, the second-color portion, and the third-color portion, wherein the first-color portion, the second-color portion, and the third-color portion are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2015-0062005 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Apr. 30, 2015; the entire contents of the KoreanPatent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Technical Field

The technical field relates to a display panel.

(b) Description of the Related Art

A display panel may be used in a display device and may include aplurality of pixels. As an example, a liquid crystal display panel maybe used in a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal displaypanel includes a liquid crystal layer and field generating electrodesfor generating an electric field in the liquid crystal layer.

The field generating electrodes include a pixel electrode and anopposing electrode. The pixel electrode is connected to a switchingelement, such as a thin film transistor (TFT), to receive a data voltagecorresponding to an input image signal. The opposing electrode mayreceive a common voltage and may be formed over an entire surface of thedisplay panel. Liquid crystal molecules are arranged by adjusting anintensity of the electric field generated in the liquid crystal layer byapplying a voltage to the pixel electrode and the opposing electrode, todisplay a desired image by adjusting the quantity of light transmittedthrough the liquid crystal layer.

The liquid crystal display panel also includes a light blocking membercapable of blocking light leakage between pixels. The light blockingmember may be formed of a black material. Misalignment of the lightblocking member may undesirably cause a decrease in an aperture ratio inthe display panel, such that brightness of images displayed by thedisplay device may be unsatisfactory.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention. TheBackground section may contain information that does not form the priorart that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skillin the art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments may decrease the number of optical masks required in amanufacturing process of a display panel, to improve yield and reducemanufacturing cost.

Embodiments may reduce material cost for a light blocking member.Embodiments may enable a satisfactory contrast ratio in an adjacent areaof a white pixel and a color pixel.

Embodiments may enable a satisfactory aperture ratio and/or asatisfactory contrast ratio in a display panel, e.g., a curved displaypanel.

An embodiment may be related to a display panel. The display panel mayinclude the following elements: a substrate; a first-color filter, whichmay overlap the substrate and may include a first-color portion and afirst-color part; a second-color filter, which may include asecond-color portion and a second-color part; a third-color portion; anda light-blocking structure, which may be positioned between thefirst-color part and the second-color part in a plan view of the displaypanel and may include the first-color portion, the second-color portion,and the third-color portion. The first-color portion, the second-colorportion, and the third-color portion may be stacked (i.e., may overlapone another) in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

The light-blocking structure may display a black color throughsubtractive mixing of colors of the first-color portion, thesecond-color portion, and the third-color portion.

A maximum thickness of the first-color portion in the directionperpendicular to the substrate may be less than a maximum thickness ofthe first-color part in the direction perpendicular to the substrate.

The display panel may include a third-color filter. The third-colorportion may be positioned between the first-color portion and thesecond-color portion and may be separated from the third-color filter.The third-color portion and the third-color filter are formed of a samethird-color material.

The display panel may include a transparent member formed of a colorlessor white insulating material. The second-color portion may be positionedbetween the first-color portion and the transparent member in thedirection perpendicular to the substrate.

The display panel may include a common electrode configured to receive acommon voltage. The display panel may include a passivation layerpositioned between the common electrode and the transparent member anddirectly contacting each of the electrode and the transparent member.

The display panel may include a spacer. The transparent member may bepositioned between the second-color portion and the spacer in thedirection perpendicular to the substrate and may be wider than thespacer in a direction parallel to the substrate.

The display panel may include a common electrode configured to receive acommon voltage. The display panel may include a spacer directlycontacting the common electrode, positioned between the common electrodeand the substrate, spaced from the transparent member in a directionparallel to the substrate, and being narrower than the transparentmember in the direction parallel to the substrate. The first-color partmay be positioned between the spacer and the substrate.

A thickness of a combination of the spacer, a passivation layer, and thefirst-color part may be greater or less than a thickness of acombination of the transparent member and the light-blocking structureby a margin that is in a range of 0.3 micrometer to 0.5 micrometer.

A liquid crystal layer portion may be positioned between the commonelectrode and the transparent member or the spacer in the directionperpendicular to the substrate.

The display panel may include a common electrode overlapping thesubstrate and configured to receive a common voltage. The display panelmay include a shielding electrode positioned between the commonelectrode and the transparent member.

The display panel may include a pixel electrode overlapping thefirst-color part. The pixel electrode and the shielding electrode may beformed of a same material and may be formed using a same material layer.

The display panel may include the following elements: a common electrodeoverlapping the substrate; a shielding electrode positioned between thecommon electrode and the second-color portion; and a pixel electrodeoverlapping the first-color part. The pixel electrode and the shieldingelectrode may be formed of a same material.

The display panel may include a spacer positioned between the commonelectrode and the first-color part and directly contacting at least oneof the common electrode and the first-color part.

The display panel may include a signal line overlapping the substrateand may include a transistor electrically connected to the signal line.At least one of the signal line and the transistor may overlap each ofthe first-color portion, the second-color portion, and the third-colorportion in the direction perpendicular to the substrate.

The display panel may include a common electrode configured to receive acommon voltage. A portion of the common electrode may be positionedbetween the second-color portion and the third-color portion in thedirection perpendicular to the substrate. The display panel may includea transparent member formed of a colorless or white insulating material.The third-color portion may be positioned between the transparent memberand the portion of the common electrode in the direction perpendicularto the substrate.

The display panel may include a passivation layer. A portion of thepassivation layer may be positioned between the second-color portion andthe third-color portion in the direction perpendicular to the substrate.The display panel may include a transparent member formed of a colorlessor white insulating material. The third-color portion may be positionedbetween the transparent member and the portion of the passivation layerin the direction perpendicular to the substrate.

An embodiment provides a display panel that may include the followingelements: a first substrate and a second substrate, which face eachother; a plurality of color filters and a white filter positionedbetween the first substrate and the second substrate; and a lightblocking overlap portion including overlapping portions of three or moreof the plurality of color filters. The overlapping portions are stackedin a direction perpendicular to the first substrate. The light blockingoverlap portion is positioned between transmitting areas of adjacentpixels of the display panel.

The light blocking overlap portion may extend along a signal linepositioned between the adjacent pixels in a plan view of the displaypanel.

The overlapping portions of the three or more color filters included inthe light blocking overlap portion together may display black throughsubtractive mixing.

A thickness of a part of a first color filter positioned in atransmission area of a pixel may be larger than a thickness of a portionof the first color filter included in the light blocking overlapportion.

The white filter may be positioned on a part of the light blockingoverlap portion, and the white filter and the light blocking overlapportion positioned under the white filter together may form a spacingoverlap portion.

The spacing overlap portion may serve as a spacer maintaining aninterval between the first substrate and the second substrate.

The display panel may further include a spacer positioned on the spacingoverlap portion.

The display panel may further include a spacer spaced from the spacingoverlap portion.

One of the plurality of color filters and the white filter may bepositioned under the spacer.

A difference between a thickness of the spacing overlap portion in adirection perpendicular to the first substrate and a thickness of acombination of the spacer and the color filter or the white filter underthe spacer may be in a range of about 0.3 micrometer to 0.5 micrometer.

One of the spacing overlap portion and the spacer may serve as a mainspacer, and the other one may serve as a secondary spacer.

The display panel may further include a shielding electrode positionedon the spacing overlap portion.

The display panel may further include a plurality of pixel electrodespositioned on the color filters. The pixel electrode and the shieldingelectrode may be positioned in the same material layer.

The display panel may further include a shielding electrode positionedon the light blocking overlap portion.

The display panel may further include a plurality of pixel electrodespositioned on the color filters. The pixel electrode and the shieldingelectrode may be positioned in the same material layer.

The display panel may further include a spacer spaced apart from thelight blocking overlap portion.

One of the plurality of color filters and the white filter may bepositioned under the spacer.

The display panel may further include the following elements: aplurality of signal lines positioned on the first substrate; and aplurality of thin film transistors connected with the plurality ofsignal lines. The light blocking overlap portion may overlap at leastone of the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of thin filmtransistors.

The display panel may include a plurality of color pixels, which includethe plurality of color filters. The display panel may include a whitepixel, which includes the white filter. The plurality of color pixelsand the white pixel may be arranged in a substantially quadrangularmatrix form.

The plurality of color pixels may display red, green, and blue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a layout view (or plan view) of a display panel according toan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a layout view (or plan view) of one pixel of the display panelaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineIII-III illustrated in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineIV-IV illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineV-V illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineVI-VI illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineIV-IV illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineV-V illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a layout view (or plan view) of a display panel according toan embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineX-X illustrated in FIG. 9 according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are example cross-sectional views of the displaypanel taken along line X-X illustrated in FIG. 9 according toembodiments.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according toanembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display deviceincluding a display panel according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the describedembodiments may be modified in various different ways.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, these elements should not be limited by theseterms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element from anotherelement. Thus, a first element discussed below may be termed a secondelement without departing from teachings of one or more embodiments. Thedescription of an element as a “first” element may not require or implythe presence of a second element or other elements. The terms “first”,“second”, etc. may also be used to differentiate different categories orsets of elements. For conciseness, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. mayrepresent, for example, “first-category (or first-set)”,“second-category (or second-set)”, etc., respectively.

In the drawings, thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.,may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals may designatelike elements. It will be understood that when a first element (such asa layer, film, region, or substrate) is referred to as being “on” asecond element, the first element can be directly on the second element,or one or more intervening elements may be present between the firstelement and the second element. When a first element is referred to asbeing “directly on” a second element, there are no intended interveningelements provided between the first element and the second element.Unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” andvariations, such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood toimply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of anyother elements. The term “connect” may mean “electrically connect”. Theterm “insulate” may mean “electrically insulate”. The term “formed” maymean “formed, provided, and/or positioned”.

FIG. 1 is a layout view (or plan view) of a display panel according toan embodiment, FIG. 2 is a layout view (or plan view) of one pixel ofthe display panel according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is across-sectional view of the display panel taken along line III-IIIillustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the displaypanel taken along line IV-IV illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is across-sectional view of the display panel taken along line V-Villustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of thedisplay panel taken along line VI-VI illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the display panel includes a display area fordisplaying an image, and the display area corresponds to a plurality ofpixels PX.

A pixel PX may mean a unit area for displaying a portion of an imagecorresponding to one input image signal. A pixel PX may include atransmitting area (also called “an opening area”) through which lightactually passes or is emitted and may include a light blocking area inwhich light is blocked. A corresponding switching device, such as a thinfilm transistor, and/or a light blocking member may be positioned in thelight blocking area.

The plurality of pixels PX may be arranged in a matrix form (or array).

The plurality of pixels includes a plurality of color pixels PX_1, PX_2,and PX_3 displaying primary colors, such as red, green, and blue, and awhite pixel PX_4. The color pixels PX_1, PX_2, and PX_3 include a firstcolor pixel PX_1 (or first-color pixel PX_1), a second color pixel PX_2(or second-color pixel PX_2, and a third color pixel PX_3 (orthird-color pixel PX_3). For example, the first color pixel PX_1 maydisplay red, the second color pixel PX_2 may display green, and thethird color pixel PX_3 may display blue.

The color pixels PX_1, PX_2, and PX_3 displaying different colors mayform one pixel unit PXU to display an image of various colors includinggrey, white, and black. The white pixel PX_4 adjacent to the three colorpixels PX_1, PX_2, and PX_3 does not display a color and is transparent,thereby improving luminance of an image when the white pixel PX_4 isdriven together with the color pixels PX_1, PX_2, and PX_3. Accordingly,it is possible to decrease power consumption of the display panelincluding the white pixel PX_4. The white pixel PX_4 may be included inthe pixel unit PXU formed of the three adjacent color pixels PX_1, PX_2,and PX_3.

In an embodiment, only the three kinds of color pixels PX_1, PX_2, andPX_3 are illustrated, but the number of color pixels PX_1, PX_2, andPX_3 displaying different colors is not limited thereto. Further, it isillustrated that one pixel unit PXU includes only one white pixel PX_4,but the number of white pixels PX_4 included in one pixel unit PXU isnot limited thereto, and may be two or more, or 0.

The plurality of color pixels PX_1, PX_2, and PX_3 and the white pixelPX_4 included in one pixel unit PXU may be arranged in a quadrangularmatrix form as illustrated in FIG. 1. The positions of the pixels PX inthe adjacent pixel units PXU may be the same as or different from eachother.

The display panel includes a thin film transistor panel 100 and anopposing panel 200, which face each other, and includes a liquid crystallayer 3 positioned between the two panels 100 and 200.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, the thin film transistor panel 100 mayinclude a substrate 110, which may be formed of at least one of glass,plastic, etc. A gate conductor 120 may be positioned on the substrate110. The gate conductor 120 may include a gate line 121 for transmittinga gate signal and may include a gate electrode 124 connected to the gateline 121. The gate line 121 and the gate electrode 124 include partspositioned in the display area of the display panel.

A gate insulating layer 140 is positioned on the gate conductor 120. Thegate insulating layer 140 may include an inorganic insulating material,such as silicon nitride and/or silicon oxide.

A semiconductor 150 and a data conductor 170 are positioned on the gateinsulating layer 140.

The semiconductor 150 is positioned in the pixel PX and includes achannel part 154 overlapping the gate electrode 124.

The data conductor 170 includes a data line 171 for transmitting a datavoltage, a source electrode 173 connected with the data line 171, and adrain electrode 175 facing the source electrode 173. The data line 171,the source electrode 173, and the drain electrode 175 may include partspositioned in the display area.

The data line 171 may be generally extended between the adjacent pixelsPX, but is not limited thereto.

The source electrode 173 and the drain electrode 175 face each otherwith the channel part 154 of the semiconductor 150 being positionedbetween the electrodes 173 and 175 in a plan view of the display panel.

A part of the semiconductor 150, except for the channel part 154, maysubstantially have the same plane shape as that of the data conductor170 positioned on the semiconductor 150, but is not limited thereto.

The gate electrode 124 positioned in one pixel PX, the channel part 154of the semiconductor 150, the source electrode 173, and the drainelectrode 175 may form a thin film transistor Q. The thin filmtransistor Q serves as a switching device which receives a gate signalfrom the gate line 121 and is switched on/off to transmit or block thedata signal from the data line 171. A structure of the thin filmtransistor Q is not limited to the illustration.

A first passivation layer 180 a is positioned on the data conductor 170.The passivation layer 180 a may include an inorganic insulating materialor an organic insulating material.

A plurality of color filters 230 is positioned on the first passivationlayer 180 a. The color filters 230 include color filters 230_1, 230_2,and 230_3 displaying primary colors, e.g., red, green, and blue, andinclude a white filter 230_4 (or transparent member 230_4) displaying awhite color or no color.

The color filters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 displaying correspondingcolors are positioned in the color pixels PX_1, PX_2, and PX_3, and thewhite filter 230_4 is positioned in the white pixel PX_4.

Each of the color filters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 may allow light of acolor of a specific wavelength, not white to pass through. The colorfilters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 may include, for example, a red filter,a green filter, and a blue filter displaying the three primary colorsred, green, and blue. In an embodiment, the color filters 230_1, 230_2,and 230_3 may display other primary colors, for example, magenta, cyan,and yellow.

The white color filter 230_4 may also be called a transparent filter. Aterm, “filter” is used for the white filter 230_4 for convenience of thedescription, but the white filter 230_4 means a filter by which awavelength of light passing through the white filter 230_4 may not besubstantially changed and a color of passing light may substantially bemaintained. That is, when white light is incident into the white filter230_4, the white light may be directly emitted, and when green light isincident into the white filter 230_4, the green light may be directlyemitted. However, a wavelength of passing light may be changed within apredetermined range according to a characteristic of the white filter230_4. For example, when green light passes through the white filter230_4, color coordinates of the green light may be changed within apredetermined range.

Referring to FIG. 3, the color filter 230 may include an opening 235positioned on the drain electrode 175.

Referring to FIGS. 1, and 4 to 6, overlapping portions of at least threecolor filters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 are stacked (and overlap oneanother) between an area between the transmitting areas of adjacentpixels PX to form a light blocking overlap portion FOrgb (orlight-blocking structure FOrgb). The overlapping portions of the colorfilters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 included in the light blocking overlapportion FOrgb may display black together through subtractive mixing.Transmittance of the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb may be, forexample, about 20% or less.

For example, the first color filter 230_1 partially included in thelight blocking overlap portion FOrgb may be a red filter, the secondcolor filter 230_2 partially included in the light blocking overlapportion FOrgb may be a green filter, and the third color filter 230_3partially included in the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb may be ablue filter. In an embodiment, the first color filter 230_1 partiallyincluded in the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb may be a cyanfilter, the second color filter 230_2 partially included in the lightblocking overlap portion FOrgb may be a magenta filter, and the thirdcolor filter 230_3 partially included in the light blocking overlapportion FOrgb may be a yellow filter.

The color filters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 and the white color 230_4 mayinclude a photosensitive organic material, and the color filters 230_1,230_2, and 230_3 may further include pigments having respective colors.

The light blocking overlap portion FOrgb serves as a light blockingmember preventing light leakage between the transmitting areas of thepixels PX. Accordingly, the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb maysurround a transmission area of each pixel PX to define the transmissionarea. The light blocking overlap portion FOrgb may extend along thespace between the transmitting areas of adjacent pixels PX in a planview of the display panel and may form a lattice. That is, the lightblocking overlap portion FOrgb may include a portion extended in avertical direction and a portion extended in a horizontal direction inFIG. 1, and may also include a portion positioned at a corner CN (orjunction CN) of multiple pixels PX.

The light blocking overlap portion FOrgb may be connected with two colorfilters positioned in the transmission areas of the two adjacent pixelsPX to include the two continuously formed color filters, and include oneor more island-type color filters positioned in the transmission area ofthe non-adjacent pixel PX. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, thelight blocking overlap portion FOrgb positioned between the transmittingareas of adjacent first color pixel PX_1 and second color pixel PX_2 mayinclude a first-color portion of the first color filter 230_1 (which isconnected to a first-color part of the first color filter 230_1positioned in the transmission area of the first color pixel PX_1), asecond-color portion of the second color filter 230_2 (which isconnected to a second-color part of the second color filter 230_2positioned in the transmission area of the second color pixel PX_2), andthe island-type third-color portion (which is formed of the samematerial layer as and isolated from the third color filter 230_3positioned in the transmission area of the third color pixel PX_3).

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a thickness D1 of a part of the color filterpositioned in the transmission area of the pixel PX may be larger than athickness D2 of a portion of the same color filter positioned on thelight blocking overlap portion FOrgb. For example, the thickness D1 ofthe first-color part of the first color filter 230_1 positioned in atransmission area TA of the first color pixel PX_1 may be larger thanthe thickness D2 of the first-color portion of the first color filter230_1 positioned in the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb. In anembodiment, the thicknesses of the overlapping portions of the colorfilters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 positioned in the light blocking overlapportion FOrgb may be appropriately controlled in accordance with a lightblocking ratio or a required height of the light blocking overlapportion FOrgb.

As described above, a thickness of the color filter 230, which isdifferent according to a position, may be controlled to be thin by usinga halftone optical mask including a slit, a semi-transparent area, andthe like during an exposure process.

The light blocking overlap portion FOrgb may overlap at least one of thethin film transistor Q, the gate conductor 120 including the gate line121, and the data conductor 170 including the data line 171.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the display panel, the three color pixels PX_1,PX_2, and PX_3 and one white pixel PX_4 may be gathered and disposedbased on one corner CN (or junction CN). The white filter 230_4 may alsobe positioned at the corner CN part, and in this case, light leakage bythe white filter 230_4 may also be generated at the corner CN part. Thelight blocking overlap portion FOrgb positioned at the corner CN partmay prevent light leakage at the corner CN part potentially caused bythe white pixel PX_4, thereby preventing undesirable decrease of acontrast ratio.

According to an embodiment, the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb,which is capable of preventing light leakage between the adjacent pixelsPX, is positioned on the thin film transistor panel 100, on which thethin film transistor Q and the plurality of signal lines are positioned,so that even though the display panel is bent for manufacturing a curveddisplay device, the transmission area of the pixel PX is not hidden bythe light blocking area. Accordingly, the aperture ratio in thetransmission area is not substantially decreased, and it is possible toprevent a contrast ratio from substantial decrease.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a part of the light blocking overlap portionFOrgb may overlap the white filter 230_4 to form a spacing overlapportion FO (or spacing structure FO). The white filter 230_4 in thespacing overlap portion FO may be positioned on the light blockingoverlap portion FOrgb as illustrated in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, thewhite filter 230_4 in the spacing overlap portion FO may be positionedunder the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb and/or inserted betweenadjacent two of the overlapping portions of color filters 230_1, 230_2,and 230_3 included in the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb.

An area of the spacing overlap portion FO may be included within thelight blocking overlap portion FOrgb, but is not limited thereto.

The spacing overlap portion FO has a higher upper surface thansurrounding color filters to protrude in an up direction, so that thespacing overlap portion FO may maintain an interval or distance betweenthe thin film transistor panel 100 and the opposed panel 200. That is,the spacing overlap portion FO may serve as the spacer CS. In this case,a height of the upper surface of the spacing overlap portion FO may belarger than that of an upper surface of the light blocking overlapportion FOrgb of the surronding area.

An upper surface of the spacing overlap portion FO may be in contactwith an inner surface of the opposing panel 200 or may be spaced apartfrom the inner surface of the opposing panel 200 by a predetermineddistance. The upper surface of the spacing overlap portion FO maydirectly contact the inner surface of the opposing panel 200, and thespacing overlap portion FO may serve as a main spacer. The upper surfaceof the spacing overlap portion FO may be spaced from the inner surfaceof the opposing panel 200, and the spacing overlap portion FO may serveas a secondary spacer to maintain an interval between the thin filmtransistor panel 100 and the opposing panel 200 in response to anexternal pressure.

A main spacer is a spacer serving to maintain an interval between theopposing panel 200 and the thin film transistor panel 100 and supportthe opposing panel 200 and the thin film transistor panel 100 in ageneral state. If the number of main spacers is large, it is difficultto adjust an interval between the opposing panel 200 and the thin filmtransistor panel 100 in accordance with a change in a volume of theliquid crystal layer 3 according to a change in an environment, such asa temperature, so that bubbles may be generated in the liquid crystallayer 3. Thus, the number of main spacers should be limited. A secondaryspacer may serve to maintain an interval between the opposing panel 200and the thin film transistor panel 100 to assist the main spacer when anexternal pressure is applied to the display panel of the display device.If the number of secondary spacers is small, the main spacer ispermanently deformed, and a display defect, such as stain, is generated.Therefore, a sufficient number of secondary spacers should be desirable.

The spacer CS formed by the spacing overlap portion FO may overlap thethin film transistor Q and/or the signal lines, such as the gate line121 and the data line 171.

A width of the spacing overlap portion FO may be equal to or smallerthan about 30 micrometers.

A second passivation layer 180 b may be positioned on the color filter230. The second passivation layer 180 b may include an organicinsulating material or an inorganic insulating material, such as SiOC.

The first passivation layer 180 a and the second passivation layer 180 binclude a contact hole 185 exposing the drain electrode 175. The contacthole 185 may be positioned within the opening 235 of the color filter230.

A plurality of pixel electrodes 191 is formed on the second passivationlayer 180 b. The pixel electrode 191 may be connected with the drainelectrode 175 of the thin film transistor Q through the contact hole 185to receive a data voltage.

The opposing panel 200 includes a substrate 210, and an opposingelectrode 270 (or common electrode 270) may be positioned on thesubstrate 210 and may be configured to receive a common voltage. Aposition of the opposing electrode 270 is not limited, and may also bepositioned on the thin film transistor panel 100.

The pixel electrode 191 and the opposing electrode 270 may include atransparent conductive material, such as ITO and/or IZO.

The liquid crystal layer 3 includes liquid crystal molecules 31. Theliquid crystal layer 3 may have positive dielectric anisotropy ornegative dielectric anisotropy.

The liquid crystal molecules 31 may be aligned, so that long axesthereof are almost horizontal or vertical to the surface of the thinfilm transistor panel 100 or the opposing panel 200 in a state wherethere is no electric field. To this end, an alignment layer may beformed on an inner surface of the thin film transistor panel 100 and/orthe opposing panel 200. The alignment layer may be formed by a method ofapplying an alignment agent on the inner surface of the panel and thenperforming physical processing, such as rubbing, optical processing,such as irradiating light, or chemical processing. Further, thealignment layer or the liquid crystal layer 3 may include an alignmentassistant means, such as a polymer, for aligning liquid crystalmolecules or assigning a pretilt. The alignment assistant means may beformed by an optical or chemical method.

The pixel electrode 191 and the opposing electrode 270 may togethergenerate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer 3. When a voltageis applied to the pixel electrode 191 and the opposing electrode 270, anelectric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 3, and theliquid crystal molecules 31 are re-arranged. A degree of there-alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 31 may be adjusted byadjusting an intensity of the electric field generated in the liquidcrystal layer 3, and thus, it is possible to adjust a degree of a changein polarization of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 3.Then, it is possible to adjust transmittance of light passing throughthe liquid crystal layer 3 through a polarizer, and the like, therebydisplaying an image.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in summary, the display panel may include thefollowing elements: a substrate 110; a first-color filter 230_1, whichmay overlap the substrate 110 and may include a first-color portion(e.g., left portion of the filter 230_1 included in the structure FOrgbillustrated in FIG. 4) and a first-color part (e.g., right portion ofthe filter 230_1 illustrated in FIG. 4); a second-color filter 230_2,which may include a second-color portion (e.g., right portion of thefilter 230_2 included in the structure FOrgb illustrated in FIG. 4) anda second-color part (e.g., left portion of the filter 230_1 illustratedin FIG. 4); a third-color portion (e.g., left portion of the element230_3 included in the structure FOrgb illustrated in FIG. 4); and alight-blocking structure FOrgb, which may be positioned between thefirst-color part and the second-color part in a plan view of the displaypanel and may include the first-color portion, the second-color portion,and the third-color portion. The first-color portion, the second-colorportion, and the third-color portion may be stacked (i.e., may overlapone another) in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 110. Thelight-blocking structure FOrgb may display a black color throughsubtractive mixing of colors of the first-color portion, thesecond-color portion, and the third-color portion.

Referring to FIG. 4, at least one of the gate conductor 120 (or the gateline 121), the semiconductor 150 (or part of the thin film transistorQ), the data conductor 170 may overlap each of the first-color portionof the first-color filter 230_1, the second-color portion of thesecond-color filter 230_2, and the third-color portion of thethird-color element 230_3 in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110.

Referring to FIG. 4, a maximum thickness of the first-color portion inthe direction perpendicular to the substrate 110 may be less than amaximum thickness of the first-color part in the direction perpendicularto the substrate 110. A thickness D2 of the first-color portion in thedirection perpendicular to the substrate 110 may be less than athickness D1 of the first-color part in the direction perpendicular tothe substrate 110.

The display panel may include a third-color filter 230_3 (illustrated inFIG. 6). The third-color portion (illustrated in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5) maybe positioned between the first-color portion and the second-colorportion and may be separated from the third-color filter 230_3. Thethird-color portion and the third-color filter 230_3 are formed of asame third-color material and may be separate parts of a samethird-color filter material layer; therefore, the same reference numeral230_3 is used for the third-color filter 230_3 illustrated in FIG. 6 andthe third-color element 230_3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, the display panel may include a transparent member230_4 formed of a colorless or white insulating material. Thesecond-color portion may be positioned between the first-color portionand the transparent member 230_4 in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110. The display panel may include a common electrode 270configured to receive a common voltage. The display panel may include apassivation layer 180 b positioned between the common electrode 270 andthe transparent member 230_4 and directly contacting each of theelectrode and the transparent member 230_4.

According to embodiments, a separate spacer for maintaining an intervalbetween the thin film transistor panel 100 and the opposing panel 200 isnot required, so that it is possible to decrease the number of opticalmasks during the manufacturing process. Accordingly, it is possible todecrease a time and manufacturing cost of the manufacturing process ofthe display panel, simplify the process, and improve a yield of aproduct.

According to embodiments, the light blocking overlap portion FOrgbserves to prevent light leakage, so that it is not necessary to form aseparate light blocking member using a black material. Advantageously,the manufacturing process associated with the display panel may besimplified, and the manufacturing cost of the display panel may beminimized. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel takenalong line IV-IV illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment, andFIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along lineV-V illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the display panels may have featuresanalogous to or identical to features described with reference to one ormore of FIGS. 1 to 6, but an additional spacer 310 may be positioned ona spacing overlap portion FO. The spacer 310 may be formed in adifferent process from that of a color filter 230, and may betransparent or display a color, such as black. In this case, an uppersurface of the spacer 310 may be in contact with or spaced apart from aninner surface of the opposing panel 200. The transparent member 230_4(or white filter 230_4) may be positioned between the second-colorportion and the spacer 310 in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110 and may be wider than the spacer 310 in a directionparallel to the substrate 110.

Referring to FIG. 7, the spacing overlap portion FO and the spacer 310together may serve as a main spacer CS maintaining an interval ordistance between the thin film transistor panel 100 and the opposingpanel 200.

Referring to FIG. 8, the spacing overlap portion FO, in which the spacer310 is not formed, forms a secondary spacer capable of maintaining aninterval between the opposing panel 200 and the thin film transistorpanel 100 when pressure is applied to the display panel.

FIG. 9 is a layout view (or plan view) of the display panel according toanembodiment, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the display paneltaken along line X-X illustrated in FIG. 9 according to an embodiment,and FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are example cross-sectional views of thedisplay panel taken along line X-X illustrated in FIG.

9 according to embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the display panel may have featuresanalogous to or identical to aforementioned features described withreference to one or more of FIGS. 1 to 8, but a structure of the mainspacer CS may be different. Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the mainspacer CS may not overlap the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb in adirection perpendicular to the substrate 110. The spacer CS may bepositioned adjacent to the light overlap portion FOrgb.

Referring to FIG. 10, a spacer 310 may not overlap the light blockingoverlap portion FOrgb and may serve as the main spacer CS. In this case,a part of one color filter 230_1, 230_2, or 230_3 or a white filter230_4 positioned in a transmitting area may be positioned under thespacer 310. The spacer 310 may directly contact the common electrode 270or the opposing panel 200, may be positioned between the commonelectrode 270 and the substrate 110, may be spaced from the transparentmember 230_4 and/or the light-blocking structure FOrgb in a directionparallel to the substrate 110, and may be narrower than the transparentmember 230_4 in the direction parallel to the substrate 110. Thefirst-color part of the first-color filter 230_1 may be positionedbetween the spacer 310 and the substrate 110.

The spacing overlap portion FO including the white filter 230_4 isspaced apart from the spacer 310, and an upper surface thereof may bespaced from the opposing panel 200 without directly contacting theopposing panel 200. In this case, the spacing overlap portion FO mayserve as a secondary spacer capable of maintaining an interval betweenthe opposing panel 200 and the thin film transistor 100 when pressure isapplied to the display panel.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the spacer 310 does not overlap the lightblocking overlap portion FOrgb in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110, may not directly contact the opposing panel 200, and mayserve as a secondary spacer CS_S.

The spacing overlap portion FO including the white filter 230_4 isspaced apart from the spacer 310 in the direction parallel to thesubstrate 110, and an upper surface thereof may be in direct contactwith the opposing panel 200. In this case, the spacing overlap portionFO may serve as a main spacer CS.

A thickness H1 of the spacing overlap portion FO, that is a thickness ofa combination of the transparent member 230_4 and the light-blockingstructure FOrgb in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110, maybe similar and unequal to a height H2 from an upper surface of thespacer 310 to a bottom surface of the part of the color filter 230_1,230_2, or 230_3 positioned under the spacer 310. A difference betweenthe thickness H1 and the height H2 may be in a range of about 0.3micrometer to 0.5 micrometer, but is not limited thereto.

A distance between the opposing panel 200 and the secondary spacer(i.e., the transparent member 230_4, the passivation layer portion onthe transparent member 230_4 illustrated in FIG. 10, or the spacer 310illustrated in FIG. 11) may be in a range of about 0.3 micrometer to 0.5micrometer. p A thickness of a combination of the spacer 310, apassivation layer 180 b, and the first-color part may be greater or lessthan a thickness of a combination of the transparent member 230_4 andthe light-blocking structure FOrgb by a margin that is in a range of 0.3micrometer to 0.5 micrometer.

A liquid crystal layer portion of the liquid crystal layer 3 may bepositioned between the common electrode 270 (or the opposing panel 200)and the transparent member 230_4 or the spacer 310 in the directionperpendicular to the substrate 110. A thickness of the liquid crystallayer portion in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110 may bein a range of 0.3 micrometer to 0.5 micrometer.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, no white filter 230_4 may overlap a lightblocking overlap portion FOrgb in a direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110. The light blocking overlap portion FOrgb may serve or maynot serve as a secondary spacer, according to a height of the portionFOrgb.

A shielding electrode 199 may be positioned on the light blockingoverlap portion FOrgb, may be positioned between the common electrode270 and the second-color portion of the second-color filter 230_2, andmay directly contact the second-color portion of the second-color filter230_2. The shielding electrode 199 may include a part extended along thelight blocking overlap portion FOrgb in a plan view of the displaypanel. The shielding electrode 199 may receive a predetermined voltage,such as a common voltage, and may prevent light leakage between thepixels PX.

The shielding electrode 199 may include a transparent conductivematerial and/or an opaque conductive material. For example, theshielding electrode 199 may include one or more metal layers, such astitanium (Ti) and/or copper (Cu), and/or a transparent conductive layer,such as an IZO. For example, the shielding electrode 199 may include alower layer including titanium (Ti), an intermediate layer including anIZO, and an upper layer including copper (Cu).

The shielding electrode 199 or a transparent conductive layer of theshielding electrode 199 may be formed of the same material in the sameprocess as that of the pixel electrode 191 and may be positioned in thesame layer as that of the pixel electrode 191.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 13, a shielding electrode 199 may be positionedon a spacing overlap portion FO, may be positioned between thetransparent member 230_4 (or white filter 230_4) and the commonelectrode 270, and may directly contact the transparent member 230_4.The shielding electrode 199 may include a part extended along the lightblocking overlap portion FOrgb in a plan view of the display panel. Theshielding electrode 199 may receive a predetermined voltage, such as acommon voltage, and may prevent light leakage between the pixels PX.

The shielding electrode 199 may include a transparent conductivematerial or an opaque conductive material. For example, the transparentshielding electrode 199 may be formed of the same material and in thesame process as that of the pixel electrode 191 and may be positioned inthe same layer as that of the pixel electrode 191. The opaque shieldingelectrode 199 may include a metal material, such as copper (Cu), and/ormolybdenum (Mo).

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, the spacer 310 may directly contact both ofthe panels 100 and 200 and may directly contact at least one of thecommon electrode 270, the passivation layer 180 b, and the first-colorpart of the first-color filter 230_1 in the transmitting area of thepixel PX_1.

A method of manufacturing the display panel according to an embodimentwill be described with reference to the aforementioned drawings.

First, a conductive material for a gate conductor is stacked on asubstrate 110, and a plurality of gate conductors 120 including a gateelectrode 124 and a gate line 121 is formed by patterning the conductivematerial.

Next, an inorganic insulating material, such as a silicon nitride and asilicon oxide, is stacked on the gate conductors 120 to form a gateinsulating layer 140.

Next, a semiconductor material and a conductive material for a dataconductor are sequentially stacked on the gate insulating layer 140 andpatterned to form a plurality of semiconductors 150 and a plurality ofdata conductors 170. In this case, an exposure process using a halftoneoptical mask including a semi-transparent area and the like may be used.

Next, an insulating material is stacked on the data conductor 170 toform a first passivation layer 180 a, and a plurality of color filters230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 and a white filter 230_4 are formed on the firstpassivation layer 180 a. Particularly, a light blocking overlap portionFOrgb is formed between adjacent pixels PX by overlapping at least threecolor filters 230_1, 230_2, and 230_3. Further, according to anembodiment, a spacing overlap portion FO may also be formed by stackingthe white filter 230_4 on the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb. Whenthe light blocking overlap portion FOrgb is formed, a material for aphotosensitive color filter may be stacked and then photolithography maybe performed. In the photolithography, a thickness of the color filters230_1, 230_2, and 230_3 of the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb maybe different from a thickness of the color filters 230_1, 230_2, and230_3 positioned in a transmission area of the pixel PX by using anoptical mask including a halftone mask, such as a slit and anon-transparent area, in an area corresponding to the light blockingoverlap portion FOrgb.

Next, an insulating material is stacked on the color filters 230_1,230_2, and 230_3 and the white filter 230_4 to form a second passivationlayer 180 b. In this case, a contact hole 185 exposing the drainelectrode 175 may be formed by patterning the first and secondpassivation layers 180 a and 180 b.

Next, a transparent conductive material, such as an ITO and an IZO, isstacked on the second passivation layer 180 b and patterned to form aplurality of pixel electrodes 191. In this case, a shielding electrode199 positioned on the light blocking overlap portion FOrgb or a spacingoverlap portion FO may also be formed together.

Next, a spacer 310, which overlaps or is spaced apart from the lightblocking overlap portion FOrgb, may be formed as necessary.

Accordingly, a thin film transistor panel 100 may be completed.

Next, a display panel may be completed by preparing an opposing panel200 and bonding the opposing panel 200 and the thin film transistorpanel 100.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according toanembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, some of the plurality of color filters 230_1,230_2, and 230_3 and the white filters 230_4 may be positioned on thethin film transistor panel 100 and the other filters may be positionedon the opposing panel 200. FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which thefirst color filter 230_1 and the second color filter 230_2 arepositioned on the thin film transistor panel 100, and the remainingthird color filter 230_3 and white filter 230_4 are positioned on theopposing panel 200.

Accordingly, the spacing overlap portion FO may include the first andsecond color filters 230_1 and 230_2 positioned on the thin filmtransistor panel 100 and the third color filter 230_3 and the whitefilter 230_4 positioned on the opposing panel 200. Upper surfaces of thefirst and second color filters 230_1 and 230_2 positioned on the thinfilm transistor panel 100 may also be in contact with lower surfaces ofthe third color filter 230_3 and the white filter 230_4 positioned onthe opposing panel 200 through the passivation layer 180 b and thecommon electrode 270 as illustrated in FIG. 14, and may be spaced apartfrom lower surfaces of the third color filter 230_3 and the white filter230_4 positioned on the opposing panel 200. The spacing overlap portionFO may serve as a spacer maintaining an interval between the thin filmtransistor panel 100 and the opposing panel 200.

A portion of the common electrode 270 may be positioned between thesecond-color portion of the second-color filter 230_2 and thethird-color portion 230_3 in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110. The third-color portion 230_3 may be positioned betweenthe transparent member 230_4 and the portion of the common electrode 270in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110 and may directlycontact each of the transparent member 230_4 and the portion of thecommon electrode 270.

A portion of the passivation layer 180 b may be positioned between thesecond-color portion of the second-color filter 230_2 and thethird-color portion 230_3 in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110. The third-color portion 230_3 may be positioned betweenthe transparent member 230_4 and the portion of the passivation layer180 b in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110. The portionof the passivation layer 180 b may directly contact each of the commonelectrode 270 and the second-color portion of the second-color filter230_2.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display deviceincluding a display panel 300 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, the display device may include a backlight unit900 for supplying light to the display panel 300. The light supplied bythe backlight unit 900 may be white light or a primary color lighthaving a specific wavelength.

The display panel 300 may include the thin film transistor panel 100 andthe opposing panel 200, which face each other, and the liquid crystallayer 3 positioned between the two panels 100 and 200. The display panel300 may have one or more of features described above with reference toone or more of FIGS. 1 to 14.

While some embodiments have been described as examples, possibleembodiments are not limited to the described embodiments. Embodimentsare intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangementswithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display panel comprising: a substrate; afirst-color filter, which overlaps the substrate and comprises afirst-color portion and a first-color part; a second-color filter, whichcomprises a second-color portion and a second-color part; a third-colorportion; and a light-blocking structure, which is positioned between thefirst-color part and the second-color part in a plan view of the displaypanel and comprises the first-color portion, the second-color portion,and the third-color portion, wherein the first-color portion, thesecond-color portion, and the third-color portion are stacked in adirection perpendicular to the substrate.
 2. The display panel of claim1, wherein the light-blocking structure displays a black color throughsubtractive mixing of colors of the first-color portion, thesecond-color portion, and the third-color portion.
 3. The display panelof claim 1, wherein a maximum thickness of the first-color portion isless than a maximum thickness of the first-color part.
 4. The displaypanel of claim 1 comprising: a third-color filter, wherein thethird-color portion is positioned between the first-color portion andthe second-color portion and is separated from the third-color filter,and wherein the third-color portion and the third-color filter areformed of a same third-color material.
 5. The display panel of claim 1comprising: a transparent member formed of a colorless or whiteinsulating material, wherein the second-color portion is positionedbetween the first-color portion and the transparent member in thedirection perpendicular to the substrate.
 6. The display panel of claim5 comprising: an electrode; and a passivation layer positioned betweenthe electrode and the transparent member and directly contacting each ofthe electrode and the transparent member.
 7. The display panel of claim5 comprising: a spacer, wherein the transparent member is positionedbetween the second-color portion and the spacer in the directionperpendicular to the substrate and is wider than the spacer in adirection parallel to the substrate.
 8. The display panel of claim 5comprising: an electrode; and a spacer directly contacting theelectrode, positioned between the electrode and the substrate, spacedfrom the transparent member in a direction parallel to the substrate,and being narrower than the transparent member in the direction parallelto the substrate.
 9. The display panel of claim 8, wherein thefirst-color part is positioned between the spacer and the substrate. 10.The display panel of claim 8, wherein a thickness of a combination ofthe spacer, a passivation layer, and the first-color part is greater orless than a thickness of a combination of the transparent member and thelight-blocking structure by a margin that is in a range of 0.3micrometer to 0.5 micrometer.
 11. The display panel of claim 8, whereina liquid crystal layer portion is positioned between the electrode andone of the transparent member and the spacer in the directionperpendicular to the substrate.
 12. The display panel of claim 5comprising: a common electrode overlapping the substrate; and ashielding electrode positioned between the common electrode and thetransparent member.
 13. The display panel of claim 12 comprising: apixel electrode overlapping the first-color part, wherein the pixelelectrode and the shielding electrode are formed of a same material. 14.The display panel of claim 1 comprising: a common electrode overlappingthe substrate; a shielding electrode positioned between the commonelectrode and the second-color portion; and a pixel electrodeoverlapping the first-color part, wherein the pixel electrode and theshielding electrode are formed of a same material.
 15. The display panelof claim 14 comprising: a spacer positioned between the common electrodeand the first-color part and directly contacting at least one of thecommon electrode and the first-color part.
 16. The display panel ofclaim 1 comprising: a signal line overlapping the substrate; and atransistor electrically connected to the signal line, wherein at leastone of the signal line and the transistor overlaps each of thefirst-color portion, the second-color portion, and the third-colorportion in the direction perpendicular to the substrate.
 17. The displaypanel of claim 1 comprising: a common electrode, wherein a portion ofthe common electrode is positioned between the second-color portion andthe third-color portion in the direction perpendicular to the substrate.18. The display panel of claim 17 comprising: a transparent memberformed of a colorless or white insulating material, wherein thethird-color portion is positioned between the transparent member and theportion of the common electrode in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate.
 19. The display panel of claim 1 comprising: a passivationlayer, wherein a portion of the passivation layer is positioned betweenthe second-color portion and the third-color portion in the directionperpendicular to the substrate.
 20. The display panel of claim 17comprising: a transparent member formed of a colorless or whiteinsulating material, wherein the third-color portion is positionedbetween the transparent member and the portion of the passivation layerin the direction perpendicular to the substrate.